Return to the Gentle Sea: For the Love That Lives in Everyone

By Michael Lanfield

Return to the Gentle Sea is a book on spiritual healing and cultural transformation about the truth of our relationship with other animals. It is not a book telling people what to do, but rather to awaken us to our natural wisdom and compassion for all life. How can we live in harmony with each other when we torture and consume other innocent beings we share this world with? Do we want to live in peace with love and compassion for everyone? Why do we ravage and destroy forests, oceans, and each other in wars? Isn't it about time we start loving each other instead? Humanity is in the mess because we live in a herding society and view other beings as property and food. We just follow along, because everyone does. This is a truth-seeking, straightforward, easy to read book to help assist people on their spiritual journey to living a more peaceful and joyful life, one that will revolutionize and uplift our culture.

• Language: English
• Publisher: We Are Interconnected
• Release date: Aug 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393009559

Michael Lanfield

An acclaimed author, educator and filmmaker, Michael Lanfield is a certified World Peace Diet Facilitator. Inspired by Dr. Will Tuttle and Mango Wodzak, his talks are informative, inspiring and interactive. He is the author of several books including, The Interconnectedness of Life (2014) and The Lost Love (2016). He is the founder of the non-profit organizations We Are Interconnected and The Vegan Sandwich.

Book preview

Introduction

WE MUST END THE VIOLENCE NOW!

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It is the future and we all Return to the Gentle Sea. The Gentle Sea is our ability to live life through our inner wisdom and love for all creatures and living units. Humans live peacefully with one another. No one sees anyone else as property or disposable units. Humans, other animals, and nature are sacred to all of us. We don’t use or kill anyone or steal from them. We live by sharing and loving one another living in small knit communities. When we witness the suffering and death of another, we have empathy and try to help them.

For those of you who have read my other books, The Interconnectedness of Life, The Lost Love, and Our Path to Freedom: How We Can Live a Freer and More Peaceful Life, you know why we cannot justify violence of any kind. The only type of violence we probably can is to protect ourselves. However, when we instigate violence on another creature, regardless of species, it is not wise nor intelligent on our part, nor is it compassionate towards the other being. No matter what religions or Holy Scriptures mention or our culture teaches us, we need to evolve and look within ourselves for the truth and realize that violence is never a good thing.

Everyone knows that we all possess heart values of kindness for others. Killing is never in the best interest of the victim or us. We are not evil by nature. But our culture teaches us to be indifferent to other animals. In the West, we may love our immediate families and friends, certain animals like cats and dogs, maybe even naturally free-roaming animals - wildlife, but that is where the love ends. Society tells us to love others, but on the other hand, also to compete against one another and to be materialistic consumers. This leads to many people becoming lost in their lives which in turn may lead to depression or other illnesses, and eventually, maybe even leading to suicide. Also, when we continue taking the purposes away from other animals, we start to lose our purpose as well. So we continue to justify the consumption of animal foods and the use of animals for entertainment, clothing, testing, and other purposes, just because almost everyone does so. We follow a program that is injected into us since infancy and we don’t question any of it because we are not taught to.

Most of us in the West tend to be picky with whom or what we eat. No, do not give me dog’s milk, but cow or goat’s milk is fine. No ostrich eggs, but chicken eggs are okay. We even praise ourselves for eating such foods that cause tremendous suffering and destruction on a massive scale. Deceiving labels such as free-range, cage-free, organic or humane slaughter are lies perpetrated by animal agriculture and well-meaning people. Eating animal foods in moderation is also nonsensical and illogical. Do we support theft, killing, and rape in moderation?

Still, even when people watch undercover slaughter footage, or read about the negative effects of animal agriculture, most continue to consume animal foods. This is especially true the longer we have been conditioned by society. We say we know, yet we continue to be complicit. Why?

Why do humans continue justifying violence? Violence is violence, no matter whom it is done to. When are we going to evolve and finally live in harmony with all life? When will people evolve from, Plant’s have feelings too!, But Jesus ate fish., Bacon! and But what about protein? insanity? These are all just mindless excuses so we can continue consuming animals for food.

There is no way to slaughter animals humanely or be genuinely happy and joyful when we steal their milk, eggs or honey or get someone to do it for us. Whoever thinks otherwise needs to continue reading.

Return to the Gentle Sea is not about beliefs or opinions, but about the truth of our relationship with other animals. It is not a book telling people what to do, but rather to awaken us to our natural wisdom and compassion for all life. At times, it may seem to people as if I am a bit harsh, but it is only to try to get people to connect to the love for other creatures within themselves. It is about minimizing as much harm as we can, and feeling within our hearts what the most ethical solution to a certain situation is. Sometimes, there may not be the perfect answer or solution to every circumstance, but we must do our best whenever difficult situations arise. But eating cheeseburgers, hot dogs, eggs, honey, and all types of dairy products, and owning other animals, is not doing our best or are loving and compassionate things to do.

Even if one disagrees with some of the ideas presented, do not discredit this book in its entirety, but rather, be neutral and open-minded about